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As the vestiges of Tropical Storm Debby were felt by Montreal motorists on Friday morning, provincial police, noting a growing number of road closings because of flooding, urged drivers to get off the roads if they could and to think twice about heading out if they had yet to leave.
In a statement issued in the middle of the city’s morning rush hour, the Sûreté du Québec said it had yet to record any accidents because of the heavy rains.
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“We recommend, however, you postpone any travel, if possible,” they wrote. “If you have to travel on the road network, we suggest you adapt your driving and speed to the weather conditions.
“We also recommend you turn on your headlights and and parking lights to be more visible to others.”
The SQ’s warning included a suggestion motorists monitor road conditions on the Quebec 511 social media platforms.
And as of 8:30 a.m., there was plenty to monitor. Water pooling was reported on Highway 40 at Côte-Vertu and the access ramp from the westbound 40 to northbound Highway 13 was closed because of flooding.
Exits and access ramps appeared to be the most casualties of flooding, with closings announced within minutes of each other on Highways 40, 15, 520, 25 and 19.
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By 9:30 a.m., most of the ramps had been reopened as the flooding subsided. However, less than half an hour later, motorists were being warned to avoid the ramp of Route 134 leading to the Jacques Cartier Bridge because heavy rain had damaged construction work at the site.
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